These lines are being written in the midst of the political crisis. It is still unknown how it will develop, but it is possible that a precedent has been set here, of a government falling because of leaven on Passover.
The High Court hearings on the issue of chametz illustrated the disconnect between the masses of the people and the courtroom.
There is a people here who strictly adhere to the prohibition of eating leaven on Passover (as revealed by a survey conducted last year). The state's law book states the 'Holiday of Unleavened Bread Law (Prohibitions on Leaven), 1986', which prohibits a business owner from displaying leaven in public on Passover for sale or consumption. Although it is unfortunately not enforced, it expresses a value concept according to which a Jewish state is supposed to maintain 'not to be seen and not to be found.'.
And in contrast, there is a discussion about the 'rights' of individuals to harm the general public by bringing leaven into hospital rooms or IDF bases. To our regret, an outrageous decision was made, which in the eyes of every believing Jew is a real disgrace.
If you have sinned at all
What is so bad about leaven that we burn it in preparation for Passover as if it were a dangerous poison? Isn't it eaten all year round, blessed over it, and enjoyed?
The physical leaven is the manifestation of the spiritual leaven - pride and a sense of self - and these we must eradicate from our souls. The leaven symbolizes arrogance, while the matzah symbolizes humility. The matzah and the leaven are made from the same basic ingredients - flour and water, but the matzah remains as it is, while the leaven swells beyond its true dimensions.
This is the conceptual meaning of 'cleansing the leaven' - to remove from ourselves the swelling, the sense of pride. To become 'unleavened' - what we truly are, out of modesty and humility.
Once a year, the prohibition of pride is emphasized to us with all seriousness. We must completely eradicate it, because it is the mother of all sins. Look and see how many wars, struggles, competitions, slanders and intrigues pride causes. It destroys every good plot and introduces arguments and quarrels even among friends and lovers.
Matzah teaches us the importance of humility. After all, we know better than anyone else our shortcomings and personal weaknesses. Only we know how far we are from perfection. This recognition should fill us with humility and self-denial.
To be cleaned once a year
A humble and humble person is happy with all the good things he has. He does not believe that the whole world is his, and in any case, he thanks the Creator for all the abundance He has bestowed upon him. He also looks kindly on others. In contrast, the proud person is never satisfied. He always feels that he has not been respected enough and is full of envy of others.
Everyday life in a world of competition, pursuit of personal achievement, and praise for success can lead to a heightened sense of self. That is why once a year, on the holiday of Independence, we are called to completely eradicate the accumulated 'leaven' and cleanse our souls.
Let each one be who he is and make room for the other. There is no need to step on the other, there is no reason to envy him. His success does not come at our expense. Removing the inner "leaven" will give us the ability to be truly free.
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